Xi Jinping, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen Exchange Congratulatory Messages on 50th Anniversary of China-EU Diplomatic Relations; Li Qiang Exchanges Congratulatory Messages with Michel and von der Leyen On May 6, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, warmly celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. Xi Jinping pointed out that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners, two major forces promoting multi-polarity, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations advocating diversity. Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have maintained close exchanges at all levels and in various fields, achieved fruitful results in dialogue and cooperation, engaged in vibrant people-to-people exchanges, and coordinated effectively in multilateral affairs. The China-EU relationship has become one of the most influential bilateral relationships in the world, making important contributions to enhancing the well-being of the Chinese and European peoples and promoting world peace and development. Xi Jinping emphasized that the world is currently undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and human society has once again arrived at a critical crossroads. A healthy and stable China-EU relationship not only benefits both sides but also illuminates the world. I attach great importance to the development of China-EU relations and am willing to work with President Michel and President von der Leyen to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to summarize the experience of China-EU relations, deepen strategic communication, enhance understanding and mutual trust, consolidate the partnership, expand mutual openness, properly handle frictions and differences, and open up a brighter future for China-EU relations. Both China and the EU should uphold multilateralism, defend fairness and justice, oppose unilateral bullying, jointly address global challenges, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, making greater contributions to world peace, stability, development, and prosperity. EU leaders stated that over the past 50 years, China has achieved the fastest sustained economic growth in its history. The EU and China have established extensive ties and become each other's most important trading partners, contributing to the well-being of their peoples and to economic development and prosperity. In the context of current global uncertainties and geopolitical changes, the EU is willing to deepen its partnership with China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, jointly address common challenges, and promote world peace, security, prosperity, and sustainable development. On the same day, Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen. Li Qiang stated that China is willing to work with the EU to uphold the comprehensive strategic partnership and further enhance the stability, constructiveness, reciprocity, and global nature of China-EU relations, injecting more stability and positive energy into the world. EU leaders stated that EU-China relations have continuously deepened and expanded over the past 50 years. The EU is willing to work with China to jointly address global challenges such as climate change and uphold multilateralism and a stable international order.
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to enhance consumption capacity, improve consumption conditions, and innovate consumption scenarios to fully unleash consumption potential. During the May Day holiday, a wealth of cultural and tourism activities, diverse consumption scenarios, and innovative consumption formats continued to inject new vitality into the world's most promising consumer market. China during the holiday, with its mobility and busyness, showcased its vitality. 75 tourist routes crisscrossed the country, connecting scenic landscapes and driving a continuous increase in inter-city consumption. Hotel bookings in over 1,000 counties nationwide saw a year-on-year growth of over 30%, as "small town stories" brought new excitement and became new growth points for consumption. Inbound tourism sales during the holiday increased by about 90% year-on-year, and the "buy-and-refund" tax refund policy for departing tourists was implemented nationwide, attracting global attention to China's "renewed" tourism. According to monitoring by the Ministry of Commerce's big data platform, during the May Day period, sales of key retail and catering enterprises nationwide increased by 6.3% year-on-year, and online retail sales increased by 9.3% year-on-year. Consumption is an important engine for economic growth. When deploying this year's key economic tasks, General Secretary Xi Jinping prioritized "vigorously boosting consumption, improving investment efficiency, and expanding domestic demand in all aspects," and outlined key tasks for boosting consumption, actively developing the debut economy, ice and snow economy, and silver economy. During his inspections across various regions, General Secretary Xi Jinping consistently emphasized the need to continuously unleash consumption potential for expanding consumption. Since the beginning of this year, various regions have improved consumption policies, innovated consumption scenarios, and improved consumption conditions, further unleashing consumption potential during this holiday. Major business districts frequently introduced new offerings, with debuts, first shows, and first exhibitions being launched intensively. 36 fashion landmarks in Shanghai resonated simultaneously, with nearly 100 brand new product premieres, boosting surrounding catering, accommodation, tourism, and shopping. The "debut economy" fully demonstrated its aggregation and attraction effects. During the May Day holiday, pedestrian streets and business districts monitored by the Ministry of Commerce saw a 6.4% year-on-year increase in foot traffic. Shanghai's online and offline consumption reached 59.46 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.1%; Hangzhou's five major industries—wholesale, retail, catering, accommodation, and entertainment—achieved consumption of 15.7 billion yuan. Service consumption upgraded and improved. People traveled further to experience trends in first-tier cities or relax in remote small towns. Travel platform data showed that bookings for long-distance trips increased by nearly 30% year-on-year. International rural art weeks, horse racing, and off-roading—more and more new rural formats leveraged the large cultural tourism market. "Poetry and distant places" also offered more new ways to play. Immersive experiences and scenario-based consumption became new growth engines. During this holiday, over 20 music festivals were held nationwide, with every 1 yuan spent on music festival tickets driving 8 yuan in comprehensive consumption. Watching a cross-over show of Cantonese opera and martial arts, having a cup of coffee by a cliff, having a "time travel" experience in ancient streets and towns, and experiencing a bustling ancient market—the single "ticket economy" transformed into a longer "interactive experience economy." During the holiday, consumption of "new" products was popular, and green and energy-efficient products sold well. Nearly 600,000 digital products such as mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches were sold daily on average, and nearly 900,000 units of 12 major categories of home appliances were sold daily on average. Sales of home appliances, automobiles, and communication equipment by key retail enterprises monitored by the Ministry of Commerce increased by 15.5%, 13.7%, and 10.5% year-on-year, respectively, and sales of smart home products on key e-commerce platforms increased by over 20% year-on-year. 13 provinces and cities successively held "Chinese Goods from Foreign Trade" series of activities, attracting over 9,000 foreign trade enterprises and purchasers, with cumulative purchase intentions exceeding 16.7 billion yuan. By leveraging increased demand to drive increased development, the role of consumption as a major engine is accelerating. In the first quarter of this year, the contribution rate of domestic demand to economic growth increased by 6.3 percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of last year, more effectively playing the role of the main driver and stable anchor of economic growth. A thriving consumer market demonstrates the vigorous vitality of the Chinese economy.
Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attended and delivered a speech at the first plenary meeting of the NPC Standing Committee's law enforcement inspection group on the Forest Law in Beijing on the 6th. He emphasized the need to thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization, implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on forestry work and the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and, based on the functions and responsibilities of the NPC, promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Forest Law to provide legal guarantees for the protection, cultivation, and rational utilization of forest resources and the promotion of high-quality development of forestry. Zhao Leji pointed out that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has adhered to the integrated protection and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grass, and sand, achieving significant results in forest resource protection and ecological restoration, and maintaining a good momentum in the high-quality development of forestry. General Secretary Xi Jinping has participated in voluntary tree planting activities in the capital for 13 consecutive years, delivered important speeches on many occasions, and put forward a series of clear requirements for protecting forest resources, carrying out afforestation, and promoting forestry reform and development. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on forestry work provide fundamental guidance and action guidelines for implementing the Forest Law and cultivating, protecting, and developing forest resources in accordance with the law. Zhao Leji emphasized that the Forest Law is the fundamental law for forestry development. It is necessary to accurately grasp the key contents of law enforcement inspection, closely follow legal provisions, and adhere to a problem-oriented approach. Through law enforcement inspection, efforts should be made to strengthen the protection of forest resources, enhance the protection of forest land and forest farmers' rights and interests, implement classified management of forests in accordance with the law, promote the high-quality development of the forestry industry, and urge relevant departments to perform their duties in accordance with the law. Zhao Leji stressed the need to enhance the pertinence and effectiveness of law enforcement inspections, combine law enforcement inspections with legislation and amendment, improve relevant legal systems, and align orderly with the compilation of the ecological environment code. He also called for strict implementation of the spirit of the central eight-point guidelines and its detailed rules for implementation, and to demonstrate a good work style. Li Hongzhong presided over the meeting. He Lifeng attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
The thematic study class on the first volume of "Xi Jinping's Economic Works" opened on the morning of the 6th, with Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attending and delivering the opening report. Ding Xuexiang pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has strengthened centralized and unified leadership over economic work, put forward a series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies, forming Xi Jinping's economic thought, and successfully opened up a new realm of Marxist political economy. The Party's scientific theory and great practice have advanced in sync, guiding China's economic development to achieve historic achievements and undergo historic transformations, fully demonstrating the significant theoretical, practical, and world significance of Xi Jinping's economic thought. Ding Xuexiang stated that it is essential to deeply grasp the core essence and practical requirements of Xi Jinping's economic thought, and comprehensively advance Chinese modernization through high-quality development. We must adhere to a people-centered approach, remember that the will of the people is the greatest politics, and ensure that the fruits of development benefit all people more extensively and equitably. We must fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, accelerate the construction of a new development paradigm, and promote effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy. We must adhere to scientific thinking and working methods, maintain strategic resolve, adhere to the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, strengthen systematic thinking, and better coordinate development and security. Ding Xuexiang emphasized that the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core is the fundamental guarantee for China's economic vessel to overcome difficulties and maintain stable and long-term progress. Leading cadres at all levels must continuously deepen their understanding of the decisive significance of the "Two Establishes," pay more attention to conducting economic work from a political perspective, improve their capabilities and working styles, and ensure that the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee are implemented effectively. Shi Taifeng presided over the meeting, and Chen Xi attended.
Currently, national grain production has entered a critical period. Various regions are seizing the agricultural season and leveraging technology to lay the foundation for a good grain harvest. Currently, winter wheat in various regions is successively entering the grain-filling stage. This year, the winter wheat planting area in Hebei exceeds 33 million mu. In Handan, the local intelligent field monitoring station has achieved a transformation from "experience-based farming" to "data-based farming." Agricultural technicians provide precise guidance for "one spray, three prevention" operations to growers through information on seedling growth and soil moisture displayed on the digital platform. Jiangsu's over 36 million mu of winter wheat have entered the critical period for pest and disease control. In Dongtai, relying on the intelligent farm service platform, farmers monitor wheat insect conditions in real-time to achieve unified prevention and control. Currently, over 400 unmanned plant protection drones have been deployed for aerial spraying operations throughout the city. In Hejin, Shanxi, plant protection drones are equipped with dual centrifugal nozzles, which make the pesticide atomization finer, facilitating absorption by wheat leaves. Corn and other crops in Northeast China are entering their peak planting season. Currently, over half of Jilin Province's corn has been planted. In Tongyu, planters equipped with navigation systems are busy working. This year, Tongyu is widely promoting precise dense planting technology to improve corn survival rates. In Fuyu County, Heilongjiang, the local area is adopting a large-ridge double-row water and fertilizer integrated planting model to increase crop yield. Over 49 million mu of dryland crops such as corn and soybeans have been planted throughout the province. Rice transplanting in Southern China is accelerating. Rongchang in Chongqing and Dazhou in Sichuan are vigorously promoting mechanized transplanting, which not only significantly improves operational efficiency but also standardizes the spacing between seedlings, facilitating later ventilation, light reception, and growth. In Honghe, Yunnan, newly introduced super hybrid rice has begun large-scale transplanting this year. Compared to traditional rice varieties, super hybrid rice has larger ears, more grains, and stronger lodging resistance, which can effectively increase rice yield. Nanchang, Jiangxi, processes rice straw into degradable fertilizer for seedling cultivation, which is environmentally friendly and reduces seedling costs, and the seedlings cultivated are also stronger. Currently, the total area of early rice transplanting in Jiangxi Province exceeds 18 million mu.
Export-Import Bank of China Issued Over 300 Billion Yuan in Loans in Q1 to Stabilize Foreign Trade According to the latest data released by the Export-Import Bank of China, in the first quarter, the bank issued over 300 billion yuan in loans to the foreign trade sector, with the outstanding balance of foreign trade loans reaching 2.4 trillion yuan. Concurrently, the bank actively launched a special initiative to support specialized, sophisticated, unique, and new small and micro foreign trade enterprises, aiming to support the stable growth of foreign trade. China's Internet Business Revenue Increased by 1.4% Year-on-Year in Q1 Reporters learned from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that in the first quarter, internet business revenue of internet and related service enterprises above designated size in China reached 411.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.4%. Research and development (R&D) expenditures of internet enterprises above designated size accelerated their growth, with a total of 20.45 billion yuan invested in R&D, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. UnionPay and NetLink Processed More Payment Transactions During May Day Holiday Compared to Last Year Data released by the People's Bank of China today (May 6) shows that during the May Day holiday, UnionPay and NetLink processed a total of 23.439 billion payment transactions, totaling 7.64 trillion yuan, representing year-on-year increases of 20.49% and 3.21% respectively compared to last year's May Day holiday. Among these, the number and value of payment transactions by overseas visitors to China increased by 244.86% and 128.04% respectively year-on-year. 314 Million Domestic Tourist Trips During May Day Holiday According to estimates by the Data Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, during the five-day May Day holiday this year, national domestic tourist trips reached 314 million, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%. Total domestic tourist spending was 180.269 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.0%. Various regions innovated and enriched consumption scenarios, stimulating consumption potential and market vitality through diversified supply. National Postal and Express Industry Handled Over 4.8 Billion Express Parcels During May Day Holiday Reporters learned from the State Post Bureau that from May 1 to May 5, the national postal and express industry cumulatively handled over 4.8 billion express parcels, a year-on-year increase of over 20%, setting a new record for the same period. China Conducts First Airborne Survey of Maritime Glaciers Today (May 6), the China Geological Survey of the Ministry of Natural Resources officially launched China's first airborne survey of maritime glaciers in Tibet. This survey will comprehensively utilize advanced technologies such as remote sensing satellites, airborne geophysics, and ground surveys to understand the development patterns and melting changes of maritime glaciers, providing basic data support for natural resource management. Six Departments Jointly Launch Comprehensive Crackdown on Food Additive Abuse Starting today (May 6), the State Council Food Safety Commission Office and five other departments are launching a comprehensive crackdown on food additive abuse across the country. This initiative aims to severely crack down on illegal acts such as the use of state-prohibited food additives in the production of edible agricultural products, and to strictly regulate the production, sale, and use of food additives. "Two Highs" Issue Judicial Interpretation to Severely Punish Crimes Damaging Black Soil Resources The Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate today (May 6) released a judicial interpretation on issues concerning the application of law in handling criminal cases involving the destruction of black soil resources. This interpretation appropriately lowers the threshold for conviction and sentencing for crimes of illegal occupation of agricultural land and environmental pollution caused by the destruction or contamination of black soil, and mandates heavier penalties for all types of crimes that damage black soil resources. The judicial interpretation takes effect from the date of its promulgation. Nationwide Mutual Aid for Employee Medical Insurance Personal Accounts Reached 95.8683 Million Person-Times in Q1 According to the National Healthcare Security Administration, from January to March this year, nationwide mutual aid for employee medical insurance personal accounts reached 95.8683 million person-times, totaling 13.198 billion yuan. Employee medical insurance personal accounts can be used to pay medical insurance premiums and medical expenses for immediate family members through methods such as transfers from medical insurance wallets. 137th Canton Fair Achieved 3% Year-on-Year Growth in On-Site Export Deals The offline exhibition of the 137th Canton Fair concluded in Guangzhou on May 5, with on-site export deals reaching 25.44 billion US dollars, a 3% year-on-year increase. Among these, transactions with Belt and Road Initiative countries accounted for over 60%, serving as an important engine for transaction growth. China Opened 75 New International Air Cargo Routes in First Four Months Reporters learned from the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing today (May 6) that from January to April this year, a total of 75 new international air cargo routes were opened nationwide, adding over 162 round-trip flights per week. The flight route structure is mainly concentrated in Asia and Europe, with cargo primarily consisting of cross-border e-commerce goods, fresh produce, electronic products, and auto parts. Guangxi to Launch Over 980 Projects in Q2 with Total Investment Exceeding 420 Billion Yuan Today (May 6), a series of projects for the China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Innovation Cooperation Center began construction in Nanning, Guangxi. In the second quarter, Guangxi will launch over 980 projects, with a total investment exceeding 420 billion yuan. Xiamen Free Trade Zone's Imports and Exports Exceeded 2 Trillion Yuan in Ten Years According to Xiamen Customs, since its establishment in April 2015, the Xiamen Area of the China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone has accumulated import and export value of 2.2 trillion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of over 15%. It has attracted 42,000 new enterprises, an increase of 8.3 times, with private enterprises accounting for 94% of them. Second Batch of Chinese Peacekeepers to Abyei Departs Today (May 6), the first echelon of the second batch of Chinese peacekeeping rapid reaction force to Abyei departed from Zhengzhou to carry out a 12-month peacekeeping mission. China first dispatched a peacekeeping rapid reaction force to Abyei in May last year, comprising various military branches such as drivers, communicators, reconnaissance personnel, and medical personnel, undertaking tasks such as armed patrols, treating wounded, and long-distance escort.
People from all walks of life in Russia eagerly anticipate President Xi Jinping's state visit to Russia and his attendance at the celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow. They expect that under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of Russia and China, Russia and China will deepen their traditional friendship, firmly uphold the fruits of victory in World War II, and jointly safeguard global strategic stability and international fairness and justice. People from various sectors in Russia stated that President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow and participation in related events at this special moment commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War is of great significance.
Data released by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) on the 5th showed that the US services sector's prices paid index rose to 65.1% in April, the highest in over two years. Among 18 service industries, 17 reported an increase in prices paid. Economist Scott Anderson stated that the negative impacts of US tariff policies on the service industry and inflation have begun to emerge and are very real. On the same day, the governors of six northeastern US states, including Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York, announced that they had invited six Canadian provincial premiers to Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, to discuss how to counter the negative effects of US tariff policies. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey criticized US tariff policies for disrupting local foreign economic cooperation, making business operations more difficult, and increasing the cost of living for the public. On the 5th, Ford Motor Company released its first-quarter 2025 financial report, predicting that US tariff policies would lead to a $1.5 billion reduction in the company's 2025 profits. The company will suspend its full-year performance guidance due to the risks posed by tariff policies. Many individuals from various countries oppose US tariff policies and emphasize the importance of multilateral cooperation. The Asian Development Bank's annual meeting is currently being held in Milan, Italy. Many attendees stated that multilateral cooperation should be strengthened to counter the negative impacts of unilateral US policies. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar said on the 5th that US tariff policies "deviate from fair trade principles" and are an oppression of developing countries. Malaysia will firmly defend its own interests and promote cooperation with other trading partners.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on the 5th saying that the Israeli military carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on that day, with targets including several infrastructure facilities in Hodeidah port and a cement factory east of Hodeidah city. According to Israeli media reports, the Israeli airstrikes were conducted jointly with the United States. The US official has not yet responded to this. The Houthi health department stated that the US-Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah province on that day resulted in at least 4 deaths and 39 injuries, and also caused damage to cranes and warehouse buildings in Hodeidah port. Houthi official Murtada said on social media on the 5th that Israel would face "unimaginable" circumstances. Israeli Prime Minister says IDF will "intensify" military operations in Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the 5th that Israel's planned expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip would be "high-intensity." According to Israeli media reports on the 5th, Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to expand relevant military operations. The focus of the Israeli military's operations will shift to "occupying territory and maintaining a continuous Israeli military presence in the Gaza Strip."
Iran Says It Will Not Seek to Militarize Its Nuclear Program Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bagheri said on the 5th that Iran has never sought, and will not seek in the future, to militarize its nuclear program. Iran's stance on its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy is firm and based on international law. Iran is prepared to continue resolving issues related to its nuclear program and the lifting of US sanctions through dialogue-based diplomatic channels. German Federal Parliament Fails to Elect Chancellor in First Round of Voting The German Federal Parliament held a plenary session today (May 6) to elect the German Federal Chancellor. No candidate received more than half of the votes in the first round. The German Federal Parliament will hold a second round of voting within two weeks. On the 5th, the Union Parties and the Social Democratic Party officially signed a coalition agreement. The Union Parties will control 9 ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior, as well as the Chancellery, while the Social Democratic Party will control 7 ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense. Newark Airport Chaos Continues with Flight Cancellations and Delays According to US media reports today (May 6), the chaotic situation at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, caused by air traffic controller shortages and equipment malfunctions, has continued for over a week. Statistics on the 5th showed that the airport canceled an average of 39 flights per day, and the on-time performance rate dropped to 63%. The average delay time for incoming flights reached 4 hours. The US Federal Aviation Administration stated that the outdated US air traffic control system is dragging down transportation efficiency, and if the problem is not resolved in time, Newark Airport may not return to normal for weeks or even months. Shooting Incident in Arizona, US, Leaves 3 Dead and 5 Injured A shooting incident occurred at a restaurant in a suburb of Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, US, on the evening of the 4th, leaving at least 3 dead and 5 injured. Witnesses said they heard dozens of gunshots during the incident. Local police believe there was more than one shooter, and no suspects have been arrested yet.
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